#Moxie Skin DARK

[theocannibalistic]

Aaaand NPC gala fits part 2!

ID: five digital drawings of original characters, described top to bottom and left to right. 1. Bluebell, a lanky firbolg woman with freckled pale blue furry skin, cow hooves and a cow tail, fluffy ears, brown eyes and long dark red hair in a braid crown at her hairline. She is wearing a cream gown embroidered with pink, lavender and white flowers and pale green vines. The dress has a plunging neckline that shows a white patch of fur on her chest. She also has pale green vine earrings and bracelets and flowers in her hair that match the dress. 2. Agnazar, an older elven person with black hair pulled into a bun with two long white strands that hang past her ears and end in lightning shapes. She is wearing big star earrings, purple goggles pushed up to her forehead, black boots and gloves, and an indigo coat with white buttons and trimming. She is holding a dark brown cane with a purple orb grip in her right hand. 3. Moxie, a broad tiefling orc with freckled seafoam green skin that blushes purple, asymmetrical upright horns, a long tail with a curly blond tip, brown eyes and fluffy pale blond hair shaved light brown at the sides of his head. He is wearing red dragon earrings, gold bracelets and gold rings on his horns, a red cape in the shape of dragon wings, a layered terra-cotta scale skirt, a purple tabard with a black dragon embroidered on it and dark teal leggings and brown boots. 4. Juniper, a wood elf woman with tan freckled skin that blushes green, dark forest green hair with braids and wrapped sections and brown eyes. She is wearing a green gown with three-quarters sleeves, a square neckline split at the center and bright green and blue botanical pattern on the skirt and sleeve hems. She also has a gold crown with five blunt spikes decorated with circular gems and a necklace with multi-colored beads and a stone pendant. 5. Sirocco, a young summer eladrin girl with a warm skintone, frilled pointed ears, orange yellow and red eyes reminiscent of targets and long pale blond hair with straight-across bangs. She is wearing a red gown with puff sleeves, a curlicue pattern and white gem at the heart-shaped neckline, full skirts and a pink tabard with white and yellow accents.

Player Characters NPCs Part 1 NPCs Part 2 (you are here)

[sketchfanda]

A Little Moxie Love:Splatoon!!

It's time once again for another round Moxxie Waifu Connoisseur as the cameras open us up to a shot of the talk show studio set, music playing as the crowd applauded. Said crowd once again made up of a certain sweet little red possum's love life while the alpha girl herself Millie sat beside the imp of the hour himself. Who was busy giving the host and author of this whole insane set up a glare so intense that if it could harnessed? It would make for quite a powerful laser or energy source, that was for sure but the flaming skullheaded mad man was paying our fave imp boi no mind to how much he hate him though compared to Blitzo, who can say?!

Sketch:"Ladies and Gentlemen, bastards and tramps, bloodsuckers, motherfuckers, roadtrash and vamps!! To the freaks and the strange, in the crowd and on the stage, welcome to another edition of Waifu Conoisseur and do we have a guest lined up for this possum right here..."*The flaming skullman of course had to put his opening exposition on hold as he found a gun held and pointed at the side of his head. The click of a hammer being cocked as Moxxie was aiming with intent to kill. And it was clear if Sketch gave him just one good reason? He was going to squeeze that trigger.*

Moxxie:"Go ahead, try it, i dare you, i double dare you, you ghost rider headed fuck. Just try and play your sick games or better yet just get it over with. Who you got backstage behind the curtains huh? Tell me damn you!!"*Ohh how tempted the Imp was to just put a bullet into the guy's head. But for all he knew Murphy's law was just waiting to screw him over but not as much as whatever guest Sketch had lined up. It took him a while to recover from that marathon session with La last time around. And that was before the reverse gangbang orgy!!*

Sketch:*Seemingly nonchalant about the pending threat on his life, continued on with his hosting duties. The show must go on after all.* "Well now aren't we just eager for your latest dick flattening session huh? So won't keep you waiting long there, you randy little possum you. Give it up folks for Splatoon's resident cute sexy idol Marina Ida!!"*Much as Moxxie would've liked to pistol whip the host for his remarks, especially calling him a possum, the imp hitman and his kinky, sexy wife looked stage right to see the arrival of the guest of honour herself. Indeed it was Splatoon's resident dark skinned Octoling and DJ singer of the duet Off the Hook in all her exotic tentacle haired glory. Basking in the applause from the crowd before looking over her shoulder to shoot Moxxie a wink and a smile as she blew a kiss his way. Millie giddy of course while her hubby was currently trying to reboot his brain.* "Not gonna lie I could've gone with this suggestion of her inviting you guys to a party but trying to setup the Splatoon bunch into the Hellverse would've been a hassle so ya know, sometimes you got cut out the middle man so buckle up possum!! She's here to party...."

Soon as the host finished that remark, Marina made her way over to the couch with a sexy strut, a sensual grin on her face as she sway and sashayed her hips. Taking clear delight and amusement in Moxxie's reaction as she leaned towards him in a way that was clearly meant to draw attention to her jiggling, bountiful bosom. Unzipping her top slowly as she exposed more acres of glorious booby flesh, while she and Millie glanced at the rising, swelling bulge in his pants signalling that Octoling idol's seductive courtship and sexual charisma was having its intended affect. Leaning in to press her lips to his, arms draping around his shoulders as her hair tendrils wrapped around his head to pull him in deeper and closer as Millie looked on with delight and the audience/harem hoolered and cheered on.

Sketch of course meanwhile checked his cellphone, quirking a skullfaced brow at a notification as he made his exit stage left to leave the pending action to some privacy. A frown on his face as he made his way through the backstage area and stepped outside to find his security detail surrounding a certain horse obsessed Imp assassin. Said imp armed to the teeth and looking indignant as he set his sights on the flaming skullheaded host, you could just feel the contempt the two had for each other. The intensity made Hell's flames look tepid.

Blitzo:"Hello fuckface.....gonna invite me in?"*The imp quipped and snarked as he cocked and aimed his flintlock piston at the Author/Host. Not bothered by the security team flinching, shifting their stances ready to dogpile him and disarm him. Even as their boss made his way over, standing face to face with him as he seemed once again unbothered at having a loaded weapon trained on him. The imp had to give him this, he had a real brass set on him.*"Dunno what's pissing me off more, that you got M&M getting so frisky, that Loony's involved or that I'm somehow still not tapping M&M...so which you think it is, fuckface?"

Sketch:"You know the real answer there Blitz. Fact of the matter is I don't like ya and the last thing I need is you being a buzzkill with your emotional baggage....but you got a point, maybe I should cut you some slack…”*The flaming skull headed avatar spoke before suddenly drawing out a gun of his own with it pointed and aimed at Blitzo. Hammer cocked, safety off and just needing an excuse to start shooting.*”Is what you thought I’d say bitch!”*The dandy dressed former circus clown imp widened his eyes a bit, clearly he hadn’t expected someone to be willing to try out any him. They were now in a Mexican standoff that could end only one way, just kne good sudden move to set them off.*”Come on, do it pussy, no balls!!”

But let us leave this amusing diversion that has given the author host the excuse he needed to vacate the premises for some damage control and back to the real reason we are all here for. Things getting really spicy back in the studio’s talk show set as Marina and the imp duo wwre now fully naked, the naked octopus hottie licking and sucking on the top of Moxxie’s cock as she sandwiched and stroked off his length and girth with her exquisite milk chocolate skinned tits. All the while the imp’s groans of ecstasy were cut off by the intense liplock he was having with Millie as she made out with him, having stripped off her own clothing as she had her man plunge his fingers into sloppy, soaking wet slit. And this was just the warm-up of course before they really got started.

Ooh they certainly got started at high gear and full erotic volume as Moxxie laid back horizontally on the couch as Marina rode and bounced on him cowgirl style as Millie sat on his f face to have him eat her out. Moaning deeply as her man’s gifted tongue plunged away to drink up her juices as her hands leaned behind her to grasp his oh well crafted and maintained horns as she and Marina made out, their tongues dancing together the as the kinky imp and the sexy octopus-squid babe bonded in a shared lust snd love for her stud husband much to the delight of the studio audience of course. Especially with every regular organism shift of combination and position as the talk show set became an amateur porno livestream, definitely not for the kids that’s for sure!! And for those wondering, yes indeed Marina got a particular thrill from having her tendril hair grabbed and pulled.

From either her or Millie eating one another out as Moxxie plowed one of them missionary or doggy style to being bent over the couch or folded into a mating press, the pop idol was definitely going to remember this lovely encounter for sure. Especially when the alpha male imp stud would cum, that thick white hot baby batter dazzling the tastebuds of her tongue or filling up her ass and womb to overflowing excess. The pop idol dj wondering how to arrange and setup a party that would consist of having hotties line up around the block twice just to have this absolute sexual unit rock their world, after all why wouldn’t they? This guy was a total catch!!

As the threesome’s energy naturally worked the crowd into another orgy of course, outside the studio building was the aftermath of absolute chaos. The security team scattered about like they had been flung out of a twister but still alive, bullet holes decorating the floors and walls as Sketch and Blitzo laid on the floor, exhausted and looking like they came out of a war zone. The imp and flaming skull headed avatar catching their breaths, weapons scattered about as their fight had reached an point of exhaustion for the both of them. A comfortable silence between before the former circus clown spoke up.

Blitzo:”Okay so we call that a draw, does that make us friends now?” *Sketch gained the most deadpan expression imaginable as he looked Blitzo’s way. Despite any pain and tardiness he felt in his body, he reached out to bop him right on his head.*”Ah You dick!!” *And cue anko their bop on the head. The imp shooting s desdpan glance of his own.*”Simp, no would’ve sufficed….”

Sketch:”Ah go choke on Stolas’ dick…..”

[mistresswriter19]

His Prize Possession

Striker X Oc ( Requested By @scarlattobrightstar )

Author's Note: This is a very long delayed request I am so sorry about this one taking forever but I hope you enjoy. I'll definitely try not to keep others waiting like this. Really appreciate the support ^^

Mistresswriter19 X

Ellie eyes flutter with a blur using her claw to rub so she can see clearly she looks up

Ellie: Uhh I need a boyfriend…

Getting out of bed, Ellie went skip breakfast, taking a shower, putting her lovely dress on and tira with her dark green fluffy coat around her elegant Cinderella color blue dress top along with her white skirt that sparkles as she twirls with glee then opens the door heading out of the royal area because she was in a mood for a hotdog but of course if she says it in her area they would laugh and mock. Ellie had to go a different route: the area where the best hot dogs were was in " Not Mafia Town". She knew it was the worst idea to go alone so she called Blitzo to help her out.

Blitzo: Hey girl! How's it going didn't get any cock yet?

Ellie: Uhhh no…. I just wanted a hot dog and I knew going by myself would be dangerous.

Blitzo: Well you came to the right bodyguard girl I can grant ya full protection like this rifle, pistol, handgun, arrow, chainsaw, needles, and silencer really does work smoothly.

Ellie: I think I'll be happy whatever doesn't get me shot.

Blitzo: I got ya back babe~

The two imps enter "Not Mafia Town" one of the most dangerous places to enter in the ring of wrath. Everywhere you would go someone would be either shot, building would be burn into flames, deadly car chases, and torture. It made Ellie's skin crawl as Blitzo would cuss out a storm or shoot anyone that got near him or Ellie. For that Ellie kind of questioned Blitzo and his weird ways but she was grateful to trust him as a friend. Finally a nearby hotdog stand.

Blitzo: You think you can add cheese and hot sauce on that dog Senior ~

Hot Dog Imp: Sure I guess gonna cost ya more

Blitzo: Fuck it lay it on me

Ellie: One hotdog with extra mustard please

( BANG, BANG, BANG)

Blitzo: Are you fucking kidding me!?

Ellie look back to see a gang of sharks shooting there guns as one of them grabbed Ellie by the waist taking her in the car using rope and ducktape. Blitzo was fighting and shooting more of the Mafia sharks as he turns back to see Ellie kidnapped

Blitzo: ELLIE!!!!!! ( CLANK)

Crimson: That's for fucking shooting most of my men prick!

The head boss of the Mafia known as Moxie's father used a loaded gun to knock Blitzo out as he was dragged but in a sack being taken away like Ellie. In the car a good looking around as she sees a very attractive imp that wasn't like any others in the car who was looking the other side but Ellie kept her gaze on him he then look back as she turned away fast with her face turning into pink which made this rattlesnake imp chuckle. Ellie was already drawn to him but it seems strange how a cowboy like him can be involved with the Mafia gang.

Crimson: Alright cowboy show me what you got!

Striker: First of all I'm kinda rusty haven't kidnapped anyone for a while so this bastsrd I had to fucking deal with from the harvest moon festival and my lair of the ring of wrath!

Blitzo: OH YOU'RE THE SEXY ASS COWBOY!

Striker: And this pretty little thing is a royal which I despise but I think I wanna keep her for a while. She sparks my interest ( Place his claw caressed her neck)

Crimson: Good start cowboy, need more fuckers like you around come with me to the officer we have some discussing to do

Striker: Right boss, I'll be back with you later princess ~

Ellie: Uhhh…

In the office Crimson discuss the situation between why he wanted a royal because most of the royals are powerful compared to the mafia industry so what Crimson wants vengeance and goes out selecting a royal to experimented with no mercy this is when he calls on Striker and cowboy rattlesnake who would kill a royal in a heartbeat. However the Mafia crew is going to have a get together party once the party is finished at midnight Striker must exterminate the royal.

Striker: Some of your ways when it comes to dealing with royals makes me sick to my stomach

Crimson: I get my profit those bitches and fuckers stole millions from my industry and I want all of them to pay even for ones who don't know who the fuck I am

Striker: I always hated royals from all my years. I see some cry, some beg and some fight which makes me lose my temper to do the bidding and get paid .

Crimson: And this is why you're one of my most valuable clients who's a cowboy~

Striker: I'll kill the royal at midnight

Crimson: Good choice you can do whatever you want with her but when midnight comes it's off with her head.

Striker: Yes boss…

In the distance Ellie can hear Blitzo cursing once again a storm using anything to break but he keeps getting zapped causing him to knock out. Ellie was shaken and felt like a caged animal looking around seeing powerful shark gangsters with their guns, cigarettes, playing pool and drinking and talking as Ellie couldn't help but cry as she remembered she never liked being alone. She tried to calm herself down as she healed and exhaled while curled up in a ball. Suddenly Ellie hears the cage open and she looks up to see the cowboy that held her captive earlier in the car.

Striker: I brought you something to eat and some water. You're going to need it

Ellie didn't know what to do either if she should trust this rattlesnake imp or not but she had no choice maybe she can gain his trust. Ellie grabbed the water bottle off his claw and had the food he brought for her. She finished her white gloved hands tugged on her dress.

Striker: Please stop crying it makes my job harder…

Ellie: Why are you doing this?

Striker: Princess you do not want to interfere with someone like me.

Ellie: I can see in your eyes that you hate it… I just know

Striker: We had to make sacrifices and for me I made a ton didn't get me anymore but it get me some drinks or something to eat once in a wild I just can't think just do the thing.

Ellie: What if you don't want to

Striker: Have to suck it out like I always done

Ellie: You were flirty with me earlier but seems like you hate me to guts

Striker: It's just for show but truth be told you are a beautiful princess I laid my eyes on. I can't get attached to you

Ellie: What if you change, leave here and have a better life without the Mafia? They play really dirty and they're going after the royals like me.

Striker: There's nothing you can change princess about me

Ellie: I understand you just let me

Striker: NO!

Ellie try not to show fear when Striker tugged on her white glove hand. Ellie just stood still with the tears down her eyes Striker kept yelling at her to stop that because he will lose it. Ellie turned away but she felt her lips place into Striker's who gracefully kissed her full of passion. He laid her down as Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck. The bodied were close to each other Striker knows what he's doing is wrong especially to the royals. Ellie then also hugged him in between there passionate kiss. Striker let's her go but Ellie didn't want him to leave her.

Striker: I'll be back for you Ellie

Ellie: H…H…how did you know my name?

Striker: I know alot of royals but you the good ones.

Placing his finger around her face to hold Ellie's tear he gives her another kiss and he closes the cage and hops down to join Crimson. Ellie placed her gloved hand on her cheek still feeling warmth from Striker's touch.

Ellie: Striker…

In the party, the Mafia gang was using Blitzo as a pintia. Making Crimson laugh off a storm as Blitzo pretends to enjoys himself since he always gets into situations like this. However for some reason he's suppose to be torture but the Mafia gang seem to like him especially how he made drinks and this made Crimson piss more since he knows Blitzo is his son's boss he can be crazy but he's there for his crew. Something that Crimson never did for Moxxie as a father figure. Striker comes in drinking bottles of whiskey when he see Blitzo his blood boiled .

Blitzo: So came to talk dirty sex me

Striker: What the fuck are you saying?

Blitzo: ( Hiccups) I meant to say "saaaaaay you came to talk dirty about my suit.

Striker: I'm not gonna either bother

Blitzo: Alright fuck you then but listen cowboy your on my one night stand list!

Striker rolled his eyes he dropped his glass when he say the clock struck midnight with Crimson lighting a cigar and he went up to Striker.

Crimson: It's time cowboy go get the princess.

Striker sighs as he goes back to the wearhouse where he stares at the captive Princess for a long time she was singing and Striker thought it was beautiful. He felt like she was a true Cinderella or Belle. Striker opens the cage as Ellie looks back frighten which crushed Striker's heart.

Ellie: NO….NOOO NOOO AAHHH!!!! ( Covers mouth )

Striker: Just follow my lead darling. Your not going to die.

Ellie look back at him as she nods her head Striker then ties her with rope around her arms carrying her like a princess going up to Crimson and the Mafia Gang as they watched Striker carrying Ellie in his arms.

Striker: She wouldn't stop squirming so I held her to calm her down but doesn't know that she'll die.

Crimson: What a devious way of making her think. I love it!

Striker gives Ellie to Crimson as she's placed on a old beat up mattress. He takes the rope out of her arms and replaced it with rusty chains that go on bed post. Crimson lifted up Ellie's dress and threw her green fluffy coat aside she knew what was going to happen and wanted to scream but can she trust Striker.

Crimson: Since you been good with capturing many royals I decide this you can fuck her then kill her

Striker: My pleasure Crimson.

Crimson: If the bitch gives you any problems just shoot her.

Striker attends to walks to Ellie as she tugged on the rusty chains which lead to nothing her legs attend to shake. Striker's body went up against hers as she gasps he then kisses her with passion as she does the same with him behind his back Striker pulls out his pistol to shoot a Mafia shark down.

Crimson: THE FUCK GET HIM!

The Mafia sharks drawn there weapons and start to shoot. Striker shoot in between while protecting Ellie in his arms. Then out of nowhere Blitzo breaks free as he starts to fight and shoot up a rampage while chugging down leftover booze at the same time. Striker then breaks the rusty chains with his kicks and grabs Ellie managing to escape.

Ellie: What about Blitzo

Striker: Ehh I was going to kill him but maybe another time.

Ellie: Blitzo is my friend

Striker: Princess your making it really hard for me but I can't stand you being sad and not wanted.

Ellie: I'm no longer sad Striker, because I have you.

Blitzo had explosive as he plans to burn the place as he jumped out of the window as Striker dives down running from the flame as Ellie holds onto him, never letting go. They made it as they both panted as he then goes to bombproof pulling out his poncho wrapping it around Ellie to keep her warm and showing a way of comfort.

Striker: It will keep you warm

Ellie: Thank you

Striker: Your my prize possession Ellie

Ellie looked back and couldn't help but cry but this time she smiled and embraced her body close to Striker to two of them once again kissing showing their love and connection together. The two ride on Striker's horse as Ellie fell asleep into Striker's arm he rubbed her soft smooth magenta purple shade hair as they made it to the royal where Striker holds Ellie in place carrying her upstairs and putting her back to bed. He looks back at the sky where the colors purple and green form reminded of himself and Ellie. He attends to get up but Ellie tugged on his coat

Ellie: Please stay…

Striker: I'll stay for you my princess.

The two laid in bed together cuddling under the sheets slowly falling asleep together what a day it was almost being killed and shot but Striker knows for him he has to face it however someone like Ellie he didn't want her to face that danger side of anywhere she would go.

Striker: Blitzo made it because I like you so much your lucky I spared him .

Ellie turns to see a photo Blitzo posted on his Sinstagram he in the hospital with his crew and daughter with get well flowers and cheese and hot sauce on the table

Blitzo: I LIVED BITCH XO

Ellie giggle and was glad that her friend Blitzo was alive she then heard her stomach growl she forgot to eat anything.

Striker got out of bed to step out as Ellie lay there exhausted to do anything. She was happy to have someone like Striker she'll definitely help him change and be more loving and understanding Ellie has a good sense of that because compare to anyone in the royals she was always a devoted and kind princess. Striker return as be gives the bag to Ellie her eyes sparkle when she saw it was a hot dog with extra mustard that's all she ever wanted but maybe it was good because sure she got kidnapped but she finally went home with a cowboy who doesn't seen not so bad after all.

Ellie: Thank you Striker for everything

Striker: Don't need to thank me Ellie your life means more anything to me

Ellie: Your life matters too

Striker: I'll be by your side

~End~

[go-go-gadget-autism]

If you could create an ultimate team lineup of Pokémon that would be the best team, who would they be? Also they don’t have to be from the same Pokémon game. (Sorry if this is a weird question, I only know a little bit about Pokémon)

To start off, this is a very broad topic. there are 1025 pokémon, so i’m going to try to make a team without legendary or mythical pokémon as they tend to be overpowered. also i’m just making a team based on something i’m most likely to use, because there are so many strategies, move combos, and many many factors that make finding the “best team” essentially impossible. it’s all up to each individual person and how well they use their pokémon. so this is just tailored to me mostly!! <3

I’m not great at strats or EV and IV training, but I’ll try my best. don’t judge, I’m also partial to pokémon I like. also i’m really bad at using items so im not going to include those! please do research based on what others say and websites such as Smogon, Serebii, and Pokémon Database!

Garchomp. Ground/Dragon. Good attack and speed stats, can learn swords dance to boost attack sharply. Resistant to Electric, Fire, Poison, and Rock type attacks. Its hidden ability is Rough Skin, which does 1/8 of the attacker’s max HP upon using a physical move (i.e something like Tackle or Bite, but not like Thunderbolt or Fire Blast). Garchomp has access to moves of various types when used by TM or HM, which means that being well prepared for a fight will work very well in your favor.

Metagross. Steel/Psychic. Okay, i know, two pseudo legendary pokémon on one team. talk about unique. But Metagross pairs well with Garchomp, resisting some of its weaknesses like Fairy and Ice. It has a high attack stat and naturally very bulky, so it can tank hits, making up for slower speed due to its weight.

Gengar. Ghost/Poison. Good speed and Attack stats. It’s weak to Dark, Psychic, and Ghost types, but ghost type moves are super effective against Psychic and other Ghost types, and poison is super effective against Fairy and Grass.

4. Greninja. Water/Dark. Has great Special Attack and Speed stats. Its Water type moves are super effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock types, while it’s Dark type moves are super effective against Ghost and Psychic types. Greninja is weak to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Electric, and Grass type moves. The other pokémon in this list counter these decently well, with Ground resisting electric, Gengar being able to learn Fire Pumch resists Grass and Bug, and Metagross’s Steel and Psychic typing counters Fighting and Fairy types.

Heracross. Fighting/Bug. It has high Attack and Special Defense stats, and a decent Speed stat. Its Hidden Ability, Moxie, raises its Attack stat by one stage (50%) each time it KO’s another Pokémon. It’s weak to Fire, Psychic, Flying, and Fairy types, all of which can be countered by this team. Heracross being a Fighting type can counter Normal type Pokémon, and Fighting is the only weakness of Normal types. Fighting is also super effective against Dark, Ice, Rock, and Steel types, while Bug types are super effective against Grass, Psychic, and Dark types.

Aegislash. Steel/Ghost. With its stance change, it can have very high Attack and Defense stats. A lot of the points i’ve said for other pokémon that have similar typing such as Gengar and Metagross stand here, and I honestly just like Aegislash. Very cool pokémon 10/10 sword

[godling-jesse]

taylor zakhar perez, homosexual, cis-male + he/him, fighter «—◦—→ well met, jesse diaz! the godling born child of godly apollo. it’s been twenty-nine years and now they have answered the song in their veins. can he change the course of history with his passion, courage, and cunning? or will their pride, spontaneity, impulsiveness hinder them? only time will tell before this godling’s name is sung into myth and legend!

name: jesse alejandro diaz nicknames: jess date of birth: july 28th age: 29 face claim: taylor zakhar perez godly parent: apollo height: 6'2 dominant hand: right education level: bachelors occupation: record producer

parents: Olivia Diaz (mother) siblings: n/a pets: moxie (jack russle)

astrological sign: sun: leo, moon: gemini, ascending: sagittarius positive traits: charismatic, passionate, loyal, courageous negative traits: impulsive, proud, stubborn, brash habits: paces when he's deep in thought, cracks his knuckles when he's anxious, physically fixes people's appearance without their consent. If your collar is messed up, he'll fix it, if you've got lint on your back he'll brush it off, if you have something on their mouth, he'll wipe it away, etc. You're welcome. quirks: has an almost debilitating fear of clowns. has a very short attention span if not directly engaged. makes inappropriate jokes/comments to ease tension, hates saying "no" and will take on more jobs and responsibilities than he can handle just to make everyone around him happy. pet peeves: Slow walkers, people who interrupt him when he's speaking, people insinuating he isn't capable of doing something he knows he can do, unwarranted advice. hobbies: guitar playing, piano playing, racket ball, soccer, swimming, singing, jogging, yoga.

sexual orientation. homosexual sexual position. verse

clothing style: It depends on the vibes. His fall back is always athleisure, but he does love designer. If he's dressing up, expensive three piece suits are a favorite. prominent features: Aside from his tanned skin and dark hair, he's known for his angular features. Sharp jawline, pronounced nose, big brown eyes.

what were they doing when they hear the song of their godling blood? Sitting in a music booth listening to one of his performers record a track.

class: fighter inspirations: sun drake warden, radiant ranger, fighting beside the sun incarnate, being inspiration incarnate

[llolianarchives]

Boggart: Internal

Defense Against the Dark Arts: Learning how to counter a boggart is taught within a Fifth-year's first semester. Yet when Genevieve is required to face it again for her exams, it seems that her fears have taken a new form.

(A/N: Genevieve Myra Moxie is an original character and MC stand-in of mine for the game and its storyline.)

A boggart is a non-being, deemed harmless by the textbooks. Harmless, it claims, as if psychological damage has the worth of that of a paper cut's. Bitter as she can be, in truth, Genevieve knows that her fears are not suited for her kind — for her classmates who dread spiders and acne and loud storms. She's almost tempted to give Professor Hecat a look if it weren't for the sheer confidence the woman has in her capabilities. (And who is she dissapoint? She, Hero of Hogwarts, Wielder of Ancient Magic.)

The staccatto of her heart is in her ears. The thought hurts: She's caused many, their own hearts, to stop beating. Would they crawl out that wardrobe, shrieking of their sorrows and her sins? Would it pour a stream of thick velvet, flooding the room and staining her hands red? It takes the form of your fears. The book had not been so specific. Make a mockery out of your nightmares and the boggart shall be defeated. She wants to spit venom and ask how does one make a mockery of the dead and the disappointed.

It is she who is next in line.

"Miss Moxie, if you could please come forward."

Judgement, a part of her whispers. This is judgement. Condemnation for your crimes. I had done it all for the sake of good. Look at how happy we were just moments ago. It is a demonstration of today's DADA curriculum. I'll succeed.

Professor Hecat meets her eyes.

The crowd eyes her like a spectacle, dispersing from the center as if to form a makeshift carpet. Since the events of the attempted Goblin Rebellion, most have begun to see her as a walking, talking theatre, moreso than they did when she first arrived as the 'Mysterious Fifth-Year'.

Genevieve steps forward, her wand held firm in her hand.

"You know the counter, dear girl. Think it amusing. Do not let it rule you," she urges. "I know you of all people, Miss Moxie, will persevere."

Hecat's hand on the knob hesitates, waiting for Genevieve's signal. Her classmates turn silent in raw anticipation.

She nods.

And the doors creak open.

"Is that—?!"

Something descends from the darkness — a shoe that matches her's in all its customized cobblerly. Another steps out and fear grabs her by the throat when it dawns upon the girl that the boggart is her.

Wrong.

A mirror image of her own but unlike her in so many ways.

Its facing this way, standing as a mannequin for whatever evil wracks within, limbs looking wrong, disjointed, longer somehow. Once dainty-skin painted purple and bruised, pale like a corpse, like the ones she's seen and killed. The same curved jaw, straight nose, llight hair, but this isn't her. It's not. It can't be.

With its chapped lips and sunken cheeks, its fingers flex around a familiar wand of intertwined wood–

Run.

and raises it to–

No. Fight it. It'll kill...

– her.

"Riddikulus!"

"The lesson ends here! Miss Onai, kindly guide Miss Moxie to the infirmary."

It should be that simple.

It should be, watching Hecat subdue the creature.

It's that simple: a play of one's wand and the boggart's visage contorts, a grotesque parody of fears both imagined and real. Hecat stands in between the girl and the wardrobe. With a final whimper, it dissolves into a haze. The room, previously thick with dread, shares an exhale.

Her legs are trembling, or is her body entirely? The world sways and Genevieve can't see anyone past the blur of her vision.

"Off now, everyone! Well done!"

She can't feel herself. Is she still alive?

"Vivi," calls a familiar, accented voice.

Natty places a hand on her shoulder, tugging Genevieve into a hug that's botj solid and warm and she yields. Her head falls against the crook of Natty's neck. She submits to being pampered, submits to letting the tremors of her body wash away.

It looked at her.

Eyes hollowed and dark, pupils slit like some semblance of composed insanity.

"It's alright now..."

A lighter voice, this time — Poppy's. Genevieve feels circles rubbed against her back as Poppy whispers words of encouragement. Sweet nothings. Empty promises of assurance.

Her friends know nothing of the truth. She ensured it. She's done well in keeping them at an arm's length. Only Sebastian had broken through her walls, tethered closely to her side, created a home in her heart, yet look now where he stands.

They cannot- should not see the blood on her hands, nor the scars strewn about her body like a heinous frankenstein. They cannot know of the crown placed upon her head and the thorns that dig in, of her duties and failures.

It reeks of copper and soil.

To what lengths are you willing to go?

It hurts that her friends don't feel real.

Are you a hero or a monster?

The repository calls her name.

Are you even Genevieve Moxie?

Her friends guide a husk to the infirmary, not without a string of kind words and gentle touches to her skin.

"It's alright."

But she knows, it's not.

[junk-jester]

And that's the main story of Indigo Disk wrapped up!

Here's my final team when all's said and done.

Tomorrow, I'll just grind a bunch of BBQs, upgrade the Club Room, fight some Legendaries and just generally do any other Post-DLC nonsense that comes to mind.

Under the cut, I also got character bios for the team members again, as always. Feel free to check that out. Minor story spoilers below, tho.

First this time is one of the team's newest additions, Terry the Terapagos (He/Him). A bit on the timid and skittish side after being so rudely awakened by Kieran in the Area Zero Underdepths, Terry's grown fond of the other members of Abitha's team, but is somewhat distrusting of Abitha herself. He'll come out his shell (heh) in time, but it won't exactly be soon. His new big sister, Majora the Ogerpon, is more than willing to help warm Terry up, however. Hardy nature and takes plenty of siestas. Moveset is Tera Stastorm, Zen Headbutt, Earth Power and Aura Sphere. Ability is Tera Shift. Held item is Assault Vest.

Second is the starter who's been through and seen it all, Berdly the Quaquaval (He/Him). Between the events of Teal Mask and Indigo Disk, Berdly's become a grizzled old bird who doesn't move as much as he used to, but can still throw on a show for foe and ally alike. Modest nature and likes to scatter things often. Moveset is Aqua Step, Close Combat, Ice Spinner and Liquidation. Ability is Moxie. Held item is Mystic Water.

Third is an old ally from Abitha's Pre-Galar days having come back into the spotlight through spectacular fashion; Leichter the Dusk Mane Necrozma (He/They). Once the scourge of the Alola Region in ages past, Abitha managed to bring peace to his aching heart by willingly sacrificing some of her own life energy to feed them after they were left starving and weak. Leichter has since repaid this kindness tenfold, but vanished without a trace to make amends for their past actions when they stole the light from different universes and plundged them into eternal darkness. His quest having seemingly come to an end, they returned in glorious fashion to help Abitha once more by defeating Lacey and Drayton of the BB League Elite 4 when few other Pokémon could. If he'll stick around or leave once again for parts unknown is only for them to decide. Name is German for "Lighter". Relaxed nature and is somewhat vain. Moveset is Power Gem, Photon Geyser, Sunsteel Strike and Prismatic Laser. Ability is Prism Armor. Held item is Covert Cloak.

Fourth is Freddy the Bloodmoon Ursaluna (He/Him). A weary old man of a bear through and through, Freddy believes he is far too old for the shenanigans of his teammates, but can always be relied upon to pull through in tough situations when others would falter. He's the one who ended Terry's rampage after Kieran had Terastalized him at Briar's request, after all. In spite of this, however, he's earned a reputation on the team for having an unusual taste in food, preferring Pizza over Sandwiches or Berries. Named after Freddy Fazbear from Five Nights at Freddy's. Hardy nature and is somewhat vain. Moveset is Blood Moon, Earth Power, Moonblast and Calm Mind. Ability is Mind's Eye. Held item is Leftovers.

Fifth is Kiryu the Archaludon (She/Her). Originally an ordinary Duraludon Abitha had caught back in Galar, when she heard news of ways to make her stronger beyond Gigantamaxing (something Kiryu was not capable of outside Galar, of course), she leapt at the opportunity with earnest. Now, she feels as if she's on top of the world, with very little able to stop her momentum. Although, on a closer glance, it appears she may be hiding a dark secret, as if there was something lying just beneath her skin none should ever see. A phantom in her mainframe, a specter in her steel... A Ghost in the Machine. Named after the Millennium Incarnation of MechaGodzilla from the Godzilla franchise. Lonely nature and nods off a lot. Moveset is Electro Shot, Flash Cannon, Dragon Claw and Hyper Beam. Ability is Stamina. Held item is Magnet.

And, last but not least, the sixth and final team member is Jörmungandr the Hydrapple (She/They). A bit of a wildcard due to there being 7 Wyrms in one sticky sweet Caramel Apple, Jörmungandr-- or, simply, Jör for short-- is vastly unreadable by their allies, all five heads flipping moods and emotions like a coin toss at random. This behavior has made Abitha a tad frustrated, as they never seem to follow directions, but it's honestly better than nothing. At most, the lead head who does spend a majority of her time out in the open while the other four retreat to the internals of the apple they call home has shown itself to be a suck up, appearing to "apologize" for her cohorts' behavior and getting angry at them when they don't pay attention. Named after The World Serpent from Norse Mythology. Impish nature and is mischievous. Moveset is Syrup Bomb, Fickle Beam, Bullet Seed and Dragon Pulse. Ability is Supersweet Syrup. Held item is Miracle Seed.

[frogoru]

i LOVE the way you use colored pencils!!! do you have any tips??

hello anonymous friend!! i've been thinking about how to answer this question for a bit and i think i've managed to collect a few key things that i focus on when doing colored pencil drawings! it feels kinda hard to put it into words because i don't really think about it when i'm in the process of making them, but i will certainly try!!!!!!

before i actually get into the main thing, i usually sketch really lightly with an erasable colored pencil. i kind of forgot which brand i use for the erasable ones since it's been a while but you can probably just use crayola or cra-z-art stuff since you're just laying down your sketch with it. the colored pencils i use for the main thing are from prismacolor ^_^ though you can still use any other brand you want.

sketching out something before you start the actual drawing itself isn't totally necessary but i think it helps a lot

after that i either erase the sketch a bit if it's too dark or just go over it with my normal colored pencils. the colors i use for the lines depend on what the lines are actually surrounding. i thought about making this a kinda general thing to go by but mentioning what i do for specific characters sounds kinda easier to explain everything with... okay so!! you know this one drawing of moxie i just made?

i drew the outside lines for her hair with a dark blue pencil and outlined the spaces where i wanted her hair highlights to be. OH this part is really important because i try to incorporate it in all of my colored pencil drawings okay so so so so i like to use a certain color to make things REALLYYYYYY POP for this kinda stuff like for this one drawing in particular i used a sorta magenta to outline random areas along with her normal colors because i thought it would look pretty against her usual palette. i don't really have a set rule in place for myself that lets me know where to add it... i kind of just let myself go crazy but not tooo crazy... if i see a part that would look nice with some extra color then i go ahead and do it

another thing that could be useful is if your character has certain undertones for their skin then you could put down a base and go over it with a certain color really lightly in order to achieve that (or maybe putting down the extra color and then the base too could work as well. i'm not too sure i haven't really tried it). for the moxie drawing i gave her the sienna brown color for her skin and then erased it a bit so that the colors could blend a little better and to ensure that i got her skin tone accurate and then after that i went over it with a red colored pencil everrrrr so slightly (the weight you add to your hand depends on how you want your colors to turn out)

OOHHH more on erasing i think you could definitely use that a little more to your advantage as well when you really want to make something soft and more pastel since it kinda smoothens the texture of your pencil and lightens it up more

[aerodaltonimperial]

things you said when we were on top of the world

(🔮🍑 / 💚🖤)

She had thought herself over it; truly, she had. But the tendrils of jealousy claw their way across her skin, leaving red welts across her heart, and no. She wasn't after all. She waits until the crowd has dissipated, until the congratulations have ceased, and then she leaves, in the shadows, in the darkness that is, nowadays, her only friend. She steals through the halls like a thief until she reaches the rickety metal ladder up to the rafters, and while she hates this space, hates the unsteadiness of it all, this is the only place that Julia knows she will find one who understands.

She wants to cry. She wants to cry, and she nearly does, for the heat is prickling inside her eyes and snaking down her neck. Of all the things. Of all the times...yet here she is, alone. The jubilation has faded, but Julia’s agony has not, and she suspects it never will.

Her boots ring on the metal, an echo. She grips the railings with great care, for she is unsteady enough right now that one wrong move could topple her. And then she walks along the rafters until she finds him, sitting against the side with his hands folded over his legs. He doesn't look up when she approaches. Maybe he knew she would come. She thinks she has not often given him enough credit.

Julia leans against the railing and sinks down, a position very much like the one he has not moved from. "Did you see—"

"Yeah."

Julia sucks in a long breath, and it burns, the smoldering embers of everything she should have said and never did. "They seem happy."

A beat. And then, lower, ragged: "Yeah."

There are things Julia should be doing. Wallowing in her misery is not helping anyone; it's her own fault, for never coming clean. She allowed the situation to drift, and she didn't see the shipwreck coming. Perhaps she should have. After all, they have been together for several years. Perhaps there was nothing she could have done to prevent this.

"Did you ever say anything?" she asks, nearly a whisper. "Did you ever...?"

"No."

They are the same then. It does not actually alleviate any of the pressure twisting 'round her heart. Two lonely people, high above the empty arena; two desperate hearts that never found the courage to confess.

Oh, if only they had summoned the necessary moxy, then maybe they wouldn't be sitting here, a matched pair of misery.

"What do we do?" she asks.

"Nothing," Darby says, bitter and biting. "There's nothing to do."

"But I can't just—"

"Let it go," he demands. He stands, fingers curled over the rail for leverage. When she looks up at him, his expression is hard. Defensive. He's always been so good at defending his heart, but isn't that what got them here in the first place? "They're getting married, Julia. Let it go."

He leaves, and Julia stays.

She does not think she can let it go. The vines are too tightly enveloping her lungs, siphoning the love out drip by drip by drip.

++

Its 1 am when the knock sounds on her door. Groggy, she stumbles over to it, clicks the latch. When she opens it, she nearly stops breathing, for Anna is on the other side with her arms wrapped around her chest. She does not look like a woman who just got engaged; there are lines on her face and a hard set to her jaw.

"Anna," Julia exhales.

"You..." Anna shakes her head, hair flying. A single strands catches in the corner of her mouth, sticking between her lips. "You didn't say anything. You didn't congratulate me."

Julia says nothing. Anything, she fears, will give everything away. And Anna does not seem keen to allow the silence. She throws her arms out to either side. "Why didn't you congratulate me? We used to be friends. So why weren't you there?"

"Are you happy?" Julia asks.

The question seems to throw the other. Anna stops, staring at Julia in the doorway for a very long stretch.

She is not wearing the ring.

"Anna," Julia says. "Are you happy?"

"It's not..." She seems at a loss for words. Her eyes go a little glassy, a little watery. "It's not that..."

"I would burn the world down for you." It's the truth, but still, the way it claws itself free from her throat leaves a trail of pain behind. "I would burn everything down for you."

"Julia."

"Didn't you know? Didn't you ever know that I would have crawled on broken glass for you?"

Anna gasps, wet and awful. "I didn't."

And she had expected that, since it was, after all, her own silence that had doomed them. "I should have told you sooner."

"It was..." Anna swallows. Tears glisten on her cheeks, though Julia doesn't know when they first fell. "It was always you."

The world tips, shifts. The lamps in the hall burn brighter. "Anna."

She leans in, instinctive. Whatever is tugging her is beyond her control, the tides of fate, the magnetic pull of the surf beneath the moon. And Anna begins to move towards her until she stops, eyes widening. It's as though she remembers who she is, and what happened only hours earlier.

Anna holds one finger up as her gaze flickers away. "I have to do something first."

"Okay," Julia says. Her heart has seized; the moment rings too good to be real.

Anna licks her lips, then lifts her chin once more. "Stay awake. I don't know how long, but please...stay awake."

Julia would never sleep again if that's what Anna commands, but she nods, and watches Anna leave while whispers of possibility, of hope, of joy sound against her ears.

++

Down the hall and three floors below, another bleary figure has been roused. This one was never asleep; not really, anyway. He staggers to the door in a cloud of grief and only opens it because the hour is too late and his judgment is too fuzzy. Then he freezes. His lungs catch.

"Please just let me talk," Jack says, the words coming out in a rush. "I know this sounds insane. I know it does. And please—please don't tell anyone about this, okay? Please. If I'm wrong, just, ignore me, and I'll never bother you again, I promise. I just...I have to know. I can't rest until..." He sucks in a deep breath. His cheeks are pinked. "We could have been something, right? We...we could have had something. This—this could have been different." He bites down on his lip, deep enough to pucker the skin beneath. "You and I could have had something."

Darby stares at him, and Jack stares back, and for a moment, they are locked like that. Until Darby remembers how to fill his lungs again.

"Jack," he tries. It's awful: broken and desperate. "We...we still could."

Jack gasps. His eyes widen. He came in a flurry of frantic nerves, but for all his bravado, he had braced himself to be laughed back to the elevator, to lick his wounds in secret. There are a thousand unspoken truths floating between them, and a thousand more that lay at their feet, but this one...this one has been given substance.

"Jack," Darby tries again.

"I have to go do something," Jack whispers. "Stay awake, okay? Just...please wait a little bit longer."

Darby lets him go. He doesn't think he needs to admit that he would wait a lifetime; that truth, he believes, can be slow to unearth. He closes the door, then leans his forehead against the back as the shadows of the room gather around him.

He laughs, because the euphoria bubbles up through his throat and it has nowhere else to go.

[flake-n-rudy]

Rudy [ Ref art as of 12/20/2022 ] The shedding pokemon Ability: Moxie CIS Male. He/Him pronouns.

Fighting/Dark Type 35 years old

Compared to other scraggy, Rudy is rather calm and collected and not as hotheaded as others. If anything he tends to avoid conflict whenever possible for as long as he can. Although Flake seems to be the one who can get him riled up the quickest. Rudy was born in Galar after his parent’s left him to be raised by his grandmother. After she passed, Rudy helped his older sister raise their other siblings and have been living together since. Although most of his siblings have moved on, Rudy still lives with 4 of his sisters. Rudy’s father was a salazzle, giving Rudy some fire type affinity.  On rare occassions, if Rudy gets angry or emotional enough, his crest scales and tail tip can light on fire. - Trivia - - Rudy got his name because someone at work was watching the movie “Rudy” and it got stuck in my head. - Usually calm but gets explosive when those he care about are hurt or if someone knows just how to get under his skin - At one point, he shared the same level of passion that Flake once had for joining the guild. But the constant rejections slowly got to him and now he feels as though its a dream he cannot reach.  - Rudy is head over heels for Zack and adores him greatly. Only recently became entirely open about his feelings for him. Is easily flustered by Zack just merely being near him. - Despite feeling they need to separate, Rudy doesn’t want to leave Flake. Rudy cares extremely for Flake, more than he probably realizes - Is very insecure on how others see him or how others see his relationships with others - Is at the point to where he can evolve, but chose not to because of Flake. Has developed a mental block for evolving now.

[desiderium-eden]

cw: body horror...

Lazuli had always been painfully aware of the limitations of her body. Considered the weakness of her arms and bones with every choice she made. Powered through each challenge as if she never had to think about her own powerlessness. But no amount of moxie and spite could get metal bars to bend. Not for her at least.

Especially with...

Her eyes fell to the dark ... thing in her palm. A stone? Rod? Whatever it was, it still stung. One of many. She'd counted eight so far. But given the similar sting in her back and neck, there were probably more. Alongside the stinging was an almost nostalgic slimy feeling. Reminiscent of her pregnancy with Kyrie.

So this had to do with the Xari? The theory only strengthened with how she'd become unable to use magic. The rods growing in size and intensity when she tried to alleviate the pain.

"..."

Hands balled into fists. Nails dug into her palms. Threatened to draw blood. Before white knuckles pounded against the cell wall. Her voice getting closer to cracking with each grunt and near scream that punctuated every hit.

It was frustrating. So. Damn. Frustrating.

It was times like these when she wished she had the raw strength of friends like Chris. Or anything that could've put up a better fight.

But she didn't. And she didn't have time to dwell on her own failings. Not when she'd left Kyrie alone in the manor. No way to know how her child was doing. Forced to imagine the worst possible options. She grabbed a plate off the discarded serving tray. Shattering it against the stone wall out of frustration. The sound of broken ceramic joined by a ... child's yelp. And an almost slimy slither.

She could see something in the shadows past the bars. And even if she hadn't seen the sickly-looking vines or the small trembling shape, she could smell it. A strong, nauseatingly floral scent. So sweet, that even without the faint stench of rot, it caused her stomach to twist.

"Ah... I'm sorry," she whispered, holding her hand out through the bars to coax whatever it was closer. "Did I scare you?"

An alraune?

Lazuli may not have known where she was, but she could at least figure it wasn't Gaea or Heaven. Then again, this child was odd. Rather than one flower, she could see traits of two. Even from under the sheet it wore around itself like a cloak. Thinner pink petals peeking out from where its right eye should be. As well as wider red and orange petals fanning out from its waist. Small patches of discoloration and rot on their vines and exposed skin.

Picking up a bit of leftover bread from the tray, she held it out to the alraune. One eye widened at the offering. The other ... seemed like it was trying to. Eyelids struggling to open as a bunch of those thinner pink petals burst forth from the socket. The flower child slithered forward on rotting vines. One small hand cautiously reaching out for the bit of food as Lazuli tried to soothe their nerves with soft words and hums.

"Hi there... it's very nice to meet you."

[vacantgodling]

hyacinthus sharapnel

BASIC INTRO: hyacinthus (he/him) is thirty one years old and is the newest lord in a long list of spouses that The Keeper of the chateau aux aisles d'or has had in its storied history. the marriage was technically a “sham” as hyacinthus is a bastard; born to recently deceased and shady businessman clematis gunn between his first wife lonicera and his second wife belladonna to a prostitute named moxie shrapnel. after being used as a tool to bargin for his mother’s affections before she fucked off (never having met the woman mind you) hyacinthus was raised hidden from society in the servant’s quarters, having access to money to keep him entertained, but cut off from the outside world and from his other family and siblings. in fact, it wasn’t until he was an adult that he met any of them at all since he was old enough to know how to “behave.” his marriage was orchestrated by his eldest sibling tagetes, the main inheritor of their father’s estate after his passing, and they footed a pretty penny for the wedding too. why they have done this weighs heavily on hyacinthus’s mind, but he’s used to being used so he’ll play along until its inconvenient.

APPEARANCE: hyacinthus is more broad than he is tall, standing at 5'11". he has long dark hair that reaches to his mid back, with his bangs cut into a hime style. his musculature and physique is something both natural and worked on, though when he has time to work out is always a mystery between bitching and shopping. his skin is smooth, dark brown and his eyes are so dark they’re near black. he’s noted for his gender nonconforming style and appearance; he is always clean shaven, with noticeably “pretty” features (notably his long lashes, plush lips and snatched waist). he also is very fond of fashion; sporting only whites and golds with all manners of corsets, keyhole tops, lace and frills. he has 2 beauty marks under his left eye and his most striking feature is his golden covered canine teeth.

PERSONALITY: despite the beauty of his style and physique, his glamour is somewhat skin deep. those who get to know hyacinthus or endeavor to talk with him will find that he is difficult to get along with. his brazen speech (he curses quite often for a noble), ill-temper and ease to rage, scathing looks and contempt for others who he deems beneath him make the air of intimidation he holds thick and smothering. he doesn’t like casual conversation, and usually has no interest in getting along with others. not only that he is proud and arrogant and demanding, accepting nothing less than the best for himself. he can be vain and self-centered however he’s also more intelligent and emotionally aware than he lets on; he simply chooses to ignore it. dealing with the real emotions that swirl beneath his hard exterior is something he greatly dislikes doing and while he is very honest by nature, he doesn’t tend to speak on his feelings because he’d rather pretend they’re not there.

[0perfectimperfections0]

Reunited Pt. 1

Me and my friend @natalie-the-writer made a deal that if I wrote THIS, she would finish the AU she's been working on..

ALSO, I'm posting this as well because she's amazing and a genius and did so great on her test.

PROUD OF YOU BESTIE!!!! YOU'RE AMAZING!

Some of this also belongs to her, as we passed around this story ideas. Lots of credit to her as well!

<><><><>

"He needs to be taken back for repair."

"You're not touchin' him." Ox held the blonde doll closer to his chest. Yeah, he knew Lou hated him at the moment. At least, he thought he did. The millions of letters and files that arrived this morning at his office from Lou himself on how to run the Institute properly-- five months after his dethroning and the letters addressed to him (and everyone else)-- on Lou's living room table begged to differ. The limp form in his arms couldn't exactly respond to all the questions Ox had, his head in the green doll's lap and eyes shut for who knew how long. He was completely unresponsive to his or anyone else's calls.

They found him collapsed on his bedroom floor after not seeing him for days. The only thing that spurred everyone to come and not just him was the mountain of letters that arrived, apparently held back in the post by other dolls due to Lou's current outcast status. Letters written with care and files for months filled out. His skin was burning. Something in his neck was sparking from a rip in his seam. Nothing could rouse him. "For all we know, you'll take him to recycling. Wherever he goes, I'm taking him." Ox finished, running a hand across the doll's forehead in hopes he

would stir. Nothing.

"We'll all come." Moxy said, surprising him. When they met eyes, she tried for a smile. "Its clear something else is going on and you'll need back up. You and Lou."

The robots eyes flashed once. Twice. "You all may follow."

Ox easily hoisted Lou up into his arms. It'd been years since he carried the doll around while he was asleep (never in this coma-like state where he had to check and make sure Lou was breathing every few seconds), but his body never forgot. Lou's head rested easily against his shoulder. Mandy's hand came into view, gently pressing down and closing the rip. The sparks didn't affect them. Only Lou, who jerked a little every minute when a particularly harsh shock went through his body. "Lead the way."

It turned quickly and began its route. The Uglies exchange glances before following behind. Ox looked down at the limp form in his arms. Another shock made his back arch slightly in the midst of his coma. "Don't worry, buddy. We're gonna get you some help." It could have been a shock of smaller proportions, but Lou's hand twitched slightly. Fingers clenched onto Ox's short fur before going lax again.

"Where are we going?" Nolan asked the robot, wringing his hands together nervously as he looked at Lou.

The response was monotone, and even more so vague. "To the creator."

They were led through a pipe at the far end of the Institute. Ox had never traveled this far in his earlier years of founding Uglyville. The only pipe he remembered -- and that was now blocked off -- was the one that led to recycling. Nevertheless, he trusted this robot knew what it was doing. Most likely it was following a protocol of some sort anyhow, so there wouldn't be much room for error. Ox stayed at the front just behind the robot. It lit the dark recesses of the pipe with its eyes. Babo supported the back of the group with a flashlight of his own.

Mandy squinted through the darkness. Something was reverberating through the pipe. The further they walked, the more the source of the motion could be deciphered. Voices. Two distinct baritone voices were heard somewhere farther down. The robot suddenly stopped and Ox barely managed to not run into the back of it. There was a metal door in front of them. From where they were now, the voices were much louder. The robot placed its hand on the surface, eyes shining red for a moment before turning blue. The sound of air being suctioned out and the door clicking became the secondary sound within the pipe. Ox cautiously followed the robot into the open.

Before much of anything could be registered, the voices from earlier spoke up again. The words were much clearer now. "He's fine!"

The dolls collectively flinched at the tone and sheer volume of it. It wasn't much of a surprise when they found its owner to be a human man standing rigidly in the center of the office they had wound up in. His jet-black hair was combed back neatly and reflected the condition of his grey suit as well. His face wasn't nearly as becoming. Blue eyes glared brightly at another man -- presumably much older if the silver hair was any indication. This man's voice was softer, yet there was plenty of emotion behind his dim blue eyes. "He's clearly not if you won't let me see him! I have left him in your care for years, not questioning when you said he was 'thriving,' and then I come to see him for myself!" His voice rose as all the accusations seemed to dawn on him as he said them aloud.

"Don't you have a company to watch?"

"I have a doll to protect, Greyson. My Louis is hurting."

All the dolls gaped at that. So Lou had been their topic of conversation. That changed the importance of what they were saying. Any other time, Ox would have been quick to disregard the argument. But this changed things. Were one of these men the creator? Ox hoped it was the older man. He looked nicer and would be much more pleasant to talk to about this dire situation.

The younger man spoke up again, exasperated that the conversation was going on for this long. "He is perfectly fine, Father. I have watched him for years. He's fine. Safe and working." The dolls quickly maneuvered to the side of the desk as the man walked to lean against the bookshelf. Another jolt came from Lou. How could they safely get these men's attention?

"Then why did I look at his emotional stability and see that he's been suicidal and depressed?!" The man slammed his fist against the desk, overlapping the sound of their gasps. Ox's arms trembled as he pulled Lou closer to him, looking down at his brother's face.

Suicidal and depressed.

That…That wasn't because of him was it?

And how long had he been that way? Ox felt a wave of guilt crash over him. All these months and Ox had been none the wiser about what Lou was going through. The others looked surprised too, casting distraught looks to the blonde.

Goodness, brother…What have I done?

"He's just going through something!"

"That report on him was from months ago." He leaned forward on the mahogany desk. "I will say this one last time: bring me back my Louis. If you don't, you'll be fired."

Greyson stilled, eyebrows coming together. "You wouldn't dare."

"I will if you don't give me my doll."

Greyson spluttered for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Father, he's just a prototype! Why do you care about him so much? He's literally worthless on the market, you know. Worthless to this company, especially now that those other dolls have ruined everything."

"Those 'other dolls' are a success. That's at least something right that's been going on in that Institute. Whatever you've been doing to my Louis, however, is disgraceful. His emotional state has been declining for years now, long before the UglyDolls came into the picture. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It didn't matter--it still doesn't! You're wasting your time with that prototype. He's made to expire after a while. If my memory serves me right, it should only be a few more days. I guess those Uglies are good for something, as fast as they're selling. Maybe we won't need another prototype."

The unnamed man, Greyson's father, looked ready to scream at the other man. Possibly punch him. It was the robot flying up that broke the fight before it could start. The younger man's face went pale with fear while his father stared coldly at the robot. A small brow rose in little curiosity as the robot spoke. "Mr. Everett. Mr. Everett, Sir." It waved a claw through the air hurriedly. "The Model 12 Prototype needs repair."

The silver-haired man immediately spun to look at them. His eyes flew wide and he practically slid across the floor to get to them. To Lou. Soft hands reach out gently, "Oh, my boy." Ox allowed him to take Lou from his hold. If the argument was anything to go by, Ox could reasonably assume that this man could be trusted with the precious cargo. "Son, what have you done to him?" The man demanded.

Greyson leaned back in the desk chair, face schooled. "Well, look at that. I guess his expiration date came up sooner than expected."

The man's eyes hardened quickly, gaze never straying from the unconscious doll in his hands. "Get out."

"Excuse me?" Greyson sounded affronted.

"I said get out." The man stood now, shoulders squared. "I'll deal with you later. Right now, I need to take care of Louis." He was cradling the doll like a mother would a newborn baby. His eyes on the doll held the same love as well. It did little to assuage the anger burning through his tone, "Greyson, get out."

Greyson's tongue rolled in his mouth, a fiery retort poised on it. Thinking better of it, he clenched his jaw instead and stood up from the chair. The wheels slid harshly against the wooden floor, "Fine." He waved a dismissive hand behind him and slammed the door shut on his way out.

The older man walked over to the desk, replacing the chair's occupant with a more welcoming countenance. The Uglies scrambled their way up the desk, seemingly forgotten by the man. "E-Excuse me," Ox pushed himself over the edge of the desk. Dull, blue eyes landed on him, seemingly just now acknowledging their presence.

Before Ox could get another sentence out, the man profusely apologized. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Forgive me, I saw Louis's state and--"

"No, no, we understand," Ox was quick to assuage the man. "That's why we brought 'im here. The robots said he needed repair."

Nolan looked up at the human with wide eyes, "Are you his creator?"

A fond smile played on his lips, "I wish. No, my son takes that credit, unfortunately. It wasn't an issue until he started neglecting the poor boy." Relinquishing one hand to extend to the dolls, "The name's Henry Everett."

Nolan shied away from the greeting at first, but gingerly grasped one of the man's fingers to shake. "N-Nolan."

"Ox," the bunny answered next when the hand came his way. They each gave their greetings. This man was, in fact, nicer. The second he drew his attention back to Lou, quick work had been initiated. They watched him roll the desk drawer out and retrieve an elongated rod with something awfully sharp at the end. Once the dots connected at to where that object was headed, Ox bristled and rushed over to the man, "W-Wait! Don't hurt 'im!" The man had seemed so nice. Why did it look as if he was about to cut the blonde open?

Henry blinked down at the doll and gave a soft smile. "It won't hurt him at the moment. He's unconscious. I have to remove the chip, though, in order for any progress to be made." Ox still looked skeptical. He took a step back, warily glancing between the man and his brother, lips pressed in a fine line. Henry gently pushed the scalpel down on Lou's neck, "Trust me, this isn't the first time I've done this."

"This has happened before?" Mandy stepped up beside Ox, arms wrapped around herself. It was a…a very existential moment to see a doll like herself in the hands of a human. It made her realize how vulnerable they really were around such giants. Around the very people that made them -- well, made the machines that made them. Her eyes stayed glued to the scalpel as it carefully tore into the side of Lou's neck. Her stomach clenched at the sound.

There was a controlled nod from the man, not wanting to jostle the precious doll in his hand. "Not with Louis, no, but with the other prototypes."

"There's more?" Ox's ears perked up. Maybe Lou wasn't alone after all.

A heavy countenance fell over Henry. He barely spared them a glance, focusing primarily on Lou. "There…were more. I created the first two prototypes for the company. The first one had a few issues, as is expected with anything you do for the first time. Poor guy…I still hate myself for not finding other solutions. His chip had malfunctioned terribly. We didn't have the technology back then like we do now and so there was no for-sure way I could fix it. The uh…The chip ended up combusting inside him." Mandy's stomach dropped so hard she nearly fell. Nolan sheepishly moved behind her, squeamish from the mental image. "The second prototype was given a new chip. After my first mistake, I made sure modifications were made. She did well for a few years…and…," Henry sniffed, blowing out a sigh with a mirthless laugh, "Sorry."

"Something bad?" Moxy was almost scared to ask.

Henry nodded, blinking away the tears so he could focus on getting the chip out. "Awful. She…she was everything this company needed, honestly. We had figured out how to refine the emotions processor in the chip which made her the closest thing to AI before Louis came along. It sounds robotic and terribly dehumanizing, I know, but we don't have a more fitting term for it."

"Special," Ox offered, eye trained on his brother with a fond sadness.

A smile finally graced Henry's features, "I like that a lot better, yes. She was special. Incredibly smart and so in tune with her emotions that she easily related to the dolls. But…after a few years…her emotional stability started going south. I don't know what happened. The computers weren't set back then to give us specifics on the problem, only general reports. I had brought her in to ask her one day and she completely broke down in front of me. She was alone and scared. She felt abandoned and terribly isolated from all the dolls that kept leaving. It was miserable for her. I gave her what solace I could and encouraged her to keeping pushing on. That was a big mistake on my part. Barely a week later…the robots came back to report she had thrown herself into the recycling."

"Oh my gosh!" Mandy put a hand to her mouth. Ox swayed, doing good to not fall from the thought that overcame him. They said Lou had been depressed and suicidal. Would…Would he have gotten to that point to? Would he have thrown himself--

Ox took a few steps back, half certain he would be sick.

You monster.

You drove him to that point.

You left him.

You almost killed him.

That last thought was what had him tugging harshly on his ears. He spun on his heel, pleading to the man, "Please tell me you can fix this! M-Make 'im happy o-or somethin'! Make 'im forget the past!"

Henry looked offended, "Make him forget everything he's learned? Everything that's made him who he is today? Bunny, I don't think you know what that would mean for him."

"It would mean life!" Ox flung his arms out desperately. "It's my fault that all this happened! I…I left him! I told 'im I'd always be there for 'im and I left him!"

Brows cinched. Henry softened his gaze at the bunny, "You didn't do anything. Greyson ordered the robots to destroy you. I saw it in the computer system. When I asked about it, he said Louis ended up taking care of it. You didn't leave him, bunny…he let you go."

Ox looked down to the unconscious form. "He did?"

"Greyson was livid when he found out a few months ago that Louis didn't actually get rid of you. Not in the way he wanted, anyway." Henry set the scalpel down and grabbed a pair of tweezers. Some of them had to look away as he dug for the chip. "By the time Louis was made, though, the computer systems had been updated to show specific readings from the chip. Only this is, after Grace -- the second prototype -- ended…well, the way she did, Greyson and I came to the decision to prohibit emotional understanding. So, our IT team manufactured a new chip that wouldn't allow emotions to be processed or learned. We didn't want to risk another incident like that happening. And thus," Henry held up a small green square in between the tips to the tweezers, "Louis was born."

They stared with wide eyes at the chip. Henry delicately lowered it down, "If you would hold this for me please. I need to get him situated." Mandy glanced at the others, but they stepped back. Even Ox looked wary to hold it. She held her hands out and it was placed gently. "Don't worry. As long as you don't hurl it across the room it won't break." His attempt at humor was lost as Mandy gawked at the chip. Blue dots of light streamed through the individual wires inside. It was oddly beautiful.

"So…this is…," she looked up at Henry through her lashes.

"That is Louis, my dear. Everything he's ever learned, been programmed with, felt, and every memory he's every made is all contained inside that tiny little chip."

She looked back down at the chip. "Wow," she whispered breathlessly. The others gathered enough courage to look at it as well.

"Do we have chips, too?" Moxy asked.

"No, the chips are only needed for prototypes. They are what we base the rest of you on. Think of it like…a folder. All the information we intend to put in you is first stored in a prototype's chip, or folder. This gives us an idea as to how much information one of you could handle without risking a malfunction. The folder isn't necessary in order for the information to get to you all, however, only for the prototype so we know how much you can handle. Once we have an estimate, that data is automatically transferred into your microfibers and spread out inside of you. Those little lights you see in the chip? You have lights like those -- barely visible to the naked eye -- coursing through the microfibers of your stuffing. The difference between Louis's chip and you all, is that we reserved the extra space for you all to have emotions. Since your purpose would be better served with them."

Nolan watched, mesmerized by the lights coursing through the small wires. That was in them? The revelation would take time to truly settle in their minds, but it was a fascinating thought to contemplate. Gingerly, he traced a finger along the course of one of the blue lights. It traveled quickly, but his intention wasn't to race it. "Why weren't we made with chips? Wouldn't that be easier?"

Henry lolled his head side-to-side, as if weighing the idea, "It would, in a way. There are consequences to consider, though. Microchips are fragile. If a child were to throw a doll with one, it could possible damage or entirely break it. By distributing the same data in your microfibers, we essentially cushion it to where we eliminate that issue."

"So, if this were to break…?" Nolan traced another light curiously.

"Louis would be -- in laymen terms -- dead."

With wide eyes, Nolan withdrew his hand quickly, as if his actions alone posed a risk for Lou's safety. Mandy swallowed thickly and held the microchip to her chest. She carefully sat down, legs crossed. The less distance between the chip and the desk, the better. Nolan sat down beside her. She traced a finger along the surface. Such a precious and fragile part of Lou. It was Lou, in a way. As difficult as it was to comprehend. Lou's body was in Henry's hand, yet the very bane of his existence laid in hers. Despite everything that had transpired between her and the blonde within the last few months, an overwhelming sense of protectiveness filled her. It made more sense why he had kept his nature a secret. If she harbored a delicate -- yet vitally important -- piece of herself, she would be careful as to who found out about it.

That day at the Gauntlet…when the burst of the portal had flung Lou and Ox back, the impact could have killed him if he landed wrong.

If that baby had thrown him…

Mandy shivered. That was why he had reacted so brashly. What was a natural circumstance for the rest of them had been a life-or-death moment for Lou.

Her eyes shrunk in fear at the next thought--

"W-What," she couldn't fight the slight quiver to her voice, "What would happen if he were put in the wash?"

Henry hummed, as if the thought pained him, face scrunching, "No. That's another reason why he isn't made for the real world. If water were to seep through his felt and reach his chip, it would electrocute him before dying."

"Oh my doll!" Nolan whispered frantically. He looked at Mandy, tears beginning to roll down his face. "Mandy, I could have killed him!"

"But you didn't--"

"But I almost did!" Nolan dug his hands into his hair, "I-I almost killed him a-and he would've d-died and been…been electrocuted! Mandy, oh m-my gosh, what the heck was I thinking?!"

"None of us knew, Nolan," Mandy tried assuring him. "We…w-we all had a part to play in that. Oh my gosh," she had to hold the microchip out carefully when she realized she was crying too. Her tears could do damage to it as well. Her mind suddenly flashed through all the moments leading up to his demise that they could have accidentally killed him. The dog. The washer. The baby. All the times that perturbed dolls would take the water bucket and dump it over Lou's head just out of spite. That proposed another question. "Does he know?" She looked up at Henry as he got out something else from the drawer. "Does Lou know about how fragile the chip is?"

"Oh, of course, yes. We explained it to him from the beginning and it's in the rule book." Henry set a small chair down on the desk. One fit for a doll.

So, that fear in his eyes when Nolan had suggested the wash as an apt punishment. That wasn't about the suit at all.

And yet, Lou still never told them anything. He never told them about the chip. Never told them about the risks. Even as they continued throwing him in the wash…he kept silent. Even as dolls mocked him by throwing the water on his head, he said nothing. It made her wonder if he was attempting to do exactly what Grace had done, just by different means.

Mandy let out a shaky breath, rubbing a thumb across the chip. "I'm sorry, Lou," she whispered. A green light trailed in the place of a blue one this time, catching her attention. It followed along the wires before disappearing. Blue was all that appeared afterward. Sniffing, she looked back up at Henry, "What does a green light mean?"

He was hooking up the chair to something under the desk. "Green? That means new information has been collected and stored." Mandy looked back down at the chip, perplexed. "Alright, there we go." Henry announced. He gingerly placed Lou into the chair and snapped his wrists and ankles into place by metal cuffs attached to the chair. It didn't give off a very comely appearance.

"W-What is that?" Nolan didn't seem to like the look of it either.

"The cuffs are for precaution. I'd have one of you hold him down, but I feel like that may be a bit emotionally disturbing for some of you." He gave a sympathetic look to them, noticing the many tears on their faces. Mandy looked over and found Moxy at her other side. The pink doll quickly wiped at her eyes, looking away. Wage tried to sniff quietly, crossing her arms and faking a stoic look. "I'll have the new chip connected to the computer to transfer the existing data from that one."

"What about this one?" Mandy asked.

"It will still be running. A duplicate, essentially. It's broken and nearing its end, so it won't remain that way. But for now it will serve as a backup conscious for Lou if he rejects the new chip. If he accepts the new one, that one can be destroyed."

Mandy bit her lip, looking back down at the chip. "Could…we keep it?" That made Henry pause to watch her curiously. She spoke in a nervous rush, "I-It's just that…I mean this is Lou. A-And no matter how the other chip works out for him…i-it just…it feels wrong to destroy it. W-We've already hurt him so much…This is almost like killing him too, isn't it?"

"It will die eventually," he said.

"Yeah, right, of course," she wiped at the tears on her cheek. "Please? I just don't feel right destroying it intentionally."

Henry smiled, eyes downcasting, "Of course, dear. Bless your heart, Louis is lucky to have friends like you all." The group exchanged remorseful glances. Only Ox could truly say he had been Lou's friend at one point. Not so much now, but at one time. They each made a silent promise within themselves to change that.

Moxy shyly sauntered over to the chair, "You said something about Lou accepting the chip. What if he doesn't accept it?"

"Well," Henry sighed, "the memories and information we'll be transferring won't be pleasant for him. Trauma will be the bulk of it, honestly. He might reject the information because of that. If he does…then the old chip will be our only option."

"But you said it will die," Mandy stated. Henry pursed his lips, silent.

Moxy frowned at the unconscious prototype. His head was limp against the back of the chair, tilted on his shoulder, hair falling in loose waves around his face. She shuddered at the thought of him staying that way. Unmoving. Unresponsive. But he was connected to the chip. He was the chip. She walked over to Mandy, reaching out, "Can I try something?" she nodded to the device in her hands. With visible hesitation, Mandy slid the microchip into pink hands and watched the doll carry it back over to the chair. Moxy glanced between the device and the prototype, "Lou?" Blue lights continued circulating. "I know it's gonna hurt…b-but we need you to accept the new chip, okay? We need you back. You gotta wake up for us. C-Can…Can you do that?" After a heartbeat, a green orb of light birthed within the circuits and followed its course in the circuits before vanishing. Something new had been stored. Moxy gave a watery smile at the device, "I think he can hear us," her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Moxy you're a genius!" Ox hurried up to her. "If Lou don't want the bad memories, we'll give 'im somethin' good to outweigh 'em."

"That just might work," Henry hummed. "While you dolls do that, I'll get the new chip from fabrication."

"How long does it take to make one?" Nolan asked.

"About 4 months." The group startled. "But, maybe there will be a pre-made chip. One that will at least by us time until a permanent one can be made." He stepped out of the office, making sure to lock the door behind him. The dolls joined Moxy and Ox around the prototype. Ox sat on the arm of the chair, combing the stray hairs from Lou's face.

"What should we tell him?" Moxy looked at the device with new vigor as she sat on Lou's lap.

"Let him know we're here for him. Henry said Grace had felt isolated. Lou needs to know he's not alone." Mandy suggested. She gingerly hovered her hand over the incision made on Lou's neck. Wincing, she placed her hand on it in an attempt to aid any phantom pain the blonde might be in. He probably couldn't feel it, but the thought disheartened her.

Moxy reclined back against the blonde, holding the microchip in her lap. "Hey Lou, it's Moxy," she smiled. She might as well have been on a normal phone call. The mental image humored them. Ox smiled and watched her elevate the chip so Lou could "see" her better. They didn't completely understand how it worked, but they knew it was a precious device. Moxy adored precious things. She gave a toothy grin to the lights streaming across its surface, "We're all here with you. There's Nolan--say hi, Nolan!" She turned the device to face the brunette.

He quirked his mouth, peering at her from around the chip, "I don't think he can see us from it."

"Party pooper," she stuck her tongue out. "We don't know that. Just say something to him!"

"Um," Nolan looked at the ground in thought. "I'm sorry about the washer…I swear I wouldn't have done that i-if I'd known what could happen." Another green light trailed across the surface. Nolan smiled hopefully, "And when you wake up I want you to sing again. I miss hearing you sing." Another green light.

"Aww," Moxy turned it back toward her. "I miss hearing you sing, too. We'll just have to find some better songs for you. Oh my doll! I know just the song--"

"Hold on, girlie," Wage interrupted her, leaning over the chair to look at the device, "let me say somethin' before you go ramblin' on." Moxy rolled her eyes but obliged, handing the device to Wage. The orange doll pointed a stern finger down at it, "Listen blondie, you better wake up so I can get this weight off my chest. We're gonna be friends whether you like it or not."

"Very sweet, Wage," Ox rolled his eyes.

She huffed and scratched the back of her neck, "And…I guess I miss you too. Don't die on us, got it?" Another green light showed she had been heard.

UglyDog hopped up on the arm of the chair, leaning two paws against the orange doll, "I can hook ya up with some music! We'll have a party when you wake up!"

"Guys, don’t overwhelm him," Mandy shook her head fondly. It was her turn with the microchip now. "Take your time, okay? We'll have a party later," she sent a look to the two. "You just focus on waking up. We'll be right here waiting for you when you do." She held his hand, giving a gentle squeeze. A green light.

Babo smiled and poked his head in beside her, "And don't worry about the files. We'll figure those out too." Green light.

"We'll try, anyway," LuckyBat added. "And I've got some techniques for handling trauma. We'll work through it together." Another green light.

The chip was handed to Ox. He grasped for words, staring down at the blue lights as they danced in coordination with one another. "I'm sorry," he swallowed through the tightness in his throat, "f-for everything that happened 'tween us. Please…Please wake up so I can tell ya how sorry I am. Wake up so I can tell ya how much I love ya." It took a second, but a green light glowed and trailed delicately down the chip, parallel to Ox's tears. He smiled shakily and soon handed it back to Moxy.

"We all care, Lou," she slowly traced her gaze to the unconscious doll. "We're sorry, but please…wake up so we can have the chance to make it up to you. We aren't leaving until you do."

The office door opened and Henry walked in with a small box. Ox's ears perked up, "Ya found one?"

"Greyson already had a chip made, apparently, specifically one for the Model 12 Prototype's." His voice didn't sound enthusiastic. "The lead fabricator told me Greyson ordered for one to be made months ago for when Louis quit working."

"For when he died," Mandy's eyes burned. "He was just going to do that? Let Lou die?"

"I guess he thought it wouldn't be a problem. The robots have a protocol set up for when a prototype…dies. Louis would've been blissfully unaware when the time came." The computer was set up and the thinner lines printed onto the microchip in Moxy's hands glowed blue. "I've got the data. Now he just needs the new chip." Tweezers gently picked up the new device. It was a dull chromatic color, not yet activated with the beautiful light show that Lou's current chip adorned. Mandy cupped one side of Lou's face while helping Henry guide the chip into his neck. She tried to ignore the muffled shifting of the stuffing as the hallowed spot was again filled. Nolan took her place a second later when he noticed Henry leaning forward with a needle and thread in hand. He aided in gently sewing the gap. Taking a step back, he looked…almost back to normal. Still incredibly dormant for their liking. Too…still.

"I advise you all to stand back a good distance. Um…," he hesitated, giving them his full attention. "This part isn't for the faint of heart. He'll be in a great deal of pain during this process and will be activated, so he'll be reacting to the pain. You all can wait in the other room--"

"We'll stay," Ox set his mouth in a fine line. "I will, anyway. Ya'll can go. I ain't forcin' ya'll to do anything."

No one moved.

Henry gave a curt nod and pressed a button on the computer. In an instant, the chip in Moxy's hand glowed green and a faint light of blue could be seen from Lou's neck. A scream broke through the silence in that very moment. Lou's back arched on reflex in the chair and his fingers dug into the wood. His head tilted up, pressed as far back into the head of the chair as it would allow, throat tightened as he screamed. Mandy squeezed her eyes shut, praying. Ox forced himself to watch the pain he still believed to have been his fault. To engrave this memory into the fiber of his being so he wouldn't hurt Lou again. Moxy closed her eyes tightly, mouth pressed close to the chip that glowed in her hands as she whispered. "C'mon, you can do it. Please. I know you can do this. Please accept it." Nolan wasn't as strong as he attempted to be for the first few seconds. It wasn't long before the screams got to him and Mandy pulled him to her, letting his head rest on her shoulder so he wouldn't have to watch.

The memories were vicious. They came with a new kind of pain that Lou had never been conscientious of before. It was as if he had lived with blinders on his whole life, never knowing the full extent of the emotions he felt. As if they had been muted. Images flashed through his mind.

Lou screamed and jolted quickly away from the portal. The rippled continued their course along the surface before dying out. A shock had been the source of his pain and the reason for htis scream. The second his hand had made contact, an electrical current had wound its way through his stuffing at such a high voltage. Lou panted, sitting up on the ground as he stared at the portal with wide eyes. A robot rolled forward, scanning him. "Model 12 Prototype. Greyson Everett has ordered you to not touch the portal. This has been your third warning. Pracautions will be implemented. With that, two metal walls slid over the portal. The sound echoed across the empty Institute once they connected. That was the last time the portal had been open all the time.

"Stop!" He pulled against the arm of the robot. Its eyes glowed red down at him. "Y-You can't do this!"

"The defective doll must be recycled." It was talking about Ox. "Greyson does not tolerate imperfection in his Institute."

In a rush of panic, Lou put his life on the line. "I-I'll do it! Tell Mr. Everett I'll take of the doll!"

"Failure to complete the task will result in harsh punishment."

"I understand," Lou panted through the rush of his speeding heart. "I-I understand the consequences. Please, tell Mr. Everett I'll take care of it."

He stared into the dark void of the pipe. As brightly colored as that bunny was, he was now lost to the darkness. Lou grit his teeth, fingers digging into the palms of his hands. He swallowed down a sob as the robots rolled up behind him. "Greyson Everett is requesting an update on the whereabouts of the deformed doll. Has the issue been resolved properly?"

Lou's eyes fluttered, unable to fully blink lest the tears find their freedom upon his face. "Yes…Tell Mr. Everett the doll is gone." Metal wheels rolled away. Lou didn't have the strength to turn around, only to see that he was once again alone in this prison.

Tears he didn't know were there pooled from his eyes. The body's natural response to this kind of torture. He didn't want this. He didn't want the pain. With a mental force, he pushed against the memories. Against the emotions. Against it all. His head snapped quickly to the side, arms tugging against the restraints. Henry watched the coding file onto the system, "He's rejecting it."

"No," Mandy whispered. She kneeled down beside Moxy, gingerly cupping pink hands to guide the chip toward herself, "Lou, please, don't fight it!" she cried over the screams. "You're okay! You're safe! They can't hurt you if you don't let them!"

Whispers echoed around him. Lou furrowed his brow at the pipe. That wasn't Ox speaking.

"I'm sorry, Lou" a feminine voice whispered. Lou whirled around, eyes darting in every direction. Why did is sound familiar?

"Lou?" Another female voice spoke up, this one higher pitched than the other. The blonde startled and spun around again. Nothing. "I know it's gonna hurt," he frowned at that part. What was going to hurt? "B-But we need you to accept the new chip, okay?" Lou touched the spot on his neck. How did this voice know about his chip? "We need you back," the voice sounded close to tears. "You gotta wake up for us. C-Can… Can you do that?"

Lou stared down at the ground, brows cinched, "How?" He touched the spot on his neck again. Wake up…Wake up from what? He finally focused his eyes on the distance. There was nothing but a vast landscape of metal and houses that had been copied and pasted into rows. It was barren. Empty. He was alone. What was there to wake up from?

"Hey, Lou. It's Moxy." He startled again. Moxy…that sounded familiar. "We're all here for you. There's Nolan-- say hi, Nolan!"

A curious smile crept onto Lou's face as he listened to the peppy voice. A deeper one followed hers. Male. "Um…I'm sorry about the washer." Lou blinked at the ground, confused.

In a flash, the world around him changed. He was somewhere dark. What little light there was to offer came from a glass door in front of him. Lou's breathing began to pick up speed. He was in the washing machine. Something cold reached his feet and he saw water beginning to rise as it poured down from the top of the machine. He scrambled to his feet, nearly falling as the cylinder began to sway from his movements. He banged and pushed on the glass door, but it wouldn't budge.

The voice spoke up again, "I swear I wouldn't have done that i-if I'd known what could happen." The water reached his knees and Lou screamed as his fists pounded against the glass. "And when you wake up, I want you to sing again. I miss hearing you sing." Lou looked at his reflection in the glass, tears streaming down his face. This voice was talking about waking up, too. Wake up from what?!

Lou cried, pounding the glass again, "I don't understand!" More voices echoed around him. All different. Ones he didn't recognize. The water reached just below his chest now and he rammed a shoulder into the door to try and open it. Nothing worked. "Please! Help! Someone get me out! I don't wanna be here! I don't wanna die!"

"I'm sorry." Lou froze. Ox. "f-for everything that happened 'tween us. Please…Please wake up so I can tell ya how sorry I am. Wake up so I can tell ya how much I love ya." Lou looked around frantically for the green bunny.

"Ox? Ox! Please, help me!" The bunny wasn't anywhere. "Ox, please! Where are you?!" The water felt cold to his neck as it reached under his chin. Lou struggled to stay above the water. His chip would get wet. He had to keep it dry.

"We all care, Lou." That bright voice spoke up again, the female. "We're sorry, but please…wake up so we can have the chance to make it up to you. We aren't leaving until you do."

"I don't know how! Please, tell me how!" Lou sobbed. He choked as the water entered his mouth. Something hit the top of his head and his dropped to his stomach when he realized he was at the top of the washer. There was no more room to go. The water kept rising. He thrashed and struggled to keep his mouth above the water for air. He was going to die. No one was going to help him--

"Lou!" One of the voices screamed. "Lou, please, don't fight it!" He spluttered and the water reached the top. Hands shoved relentlessly against the top before he tried swimming to the glass door again. Nothing budged. He screamed through the water.

Despite its density, the voice spoke as clearly as it had before, panicked. "You're okay! You're safe! They can't hurt you if you don't let them!"

There wasn't anything he could do. He stared at his reflection again, warped now by the water around him.

They can't hurt you…

Lou shut his eyes tightly, fingers pressing against the glass before he let himself drift away from the door. He was okay. Whoever those other voices belonged to, they were with Ox. He could trust Ox. His brother. His heart raced wildly. Tilting his head down and forcing his eyes shut tighter, he let out what air was left in him. The water rushed around him at a slower rate than it had before he was submerged. Funny…everything was calmer underneath the rising water. He was safe. Everything was okay. Ox was somewhere….waiting for him. Waiting for him to wake up from whatever nightmare this was.

They watched with baited breaths. The blonde had stilled, tousled hair stuck to his forehead and chest heaving. His face was still scrunched up a little, almost in concentration. After a moment, a small ding came from the computer. "He accepted it," Henry smiled. The restraints were unlatched and the group instantly hurried over to make sure everything was as it should be.

"Lou?" Ox hopped up onto the arm of the chair again. He brushed the damp bangs behind the blonde's ear. "Bubba? Can ya hear me?"

Fingers twitched. Nose wrinkled for a second. Before long, sapphire eyes peaked open, "Ox?" His voice was raw from screaming.

The bunny faltered on a sob, wrapping the other in a hug, "Yeah, I'm here, Bud. I've always been here." Lou's head fell limply on his shoulder and he brought a paw up to the back of his head. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, Lou. I love ya."

"L-…," the blonde murmured, "-ve…too." Ox smiled. He understood.

"He'll be very out of it for the next week or two," Henry came over to the other side of the desk. Ox moved as Lou was gingerly scooped into the man's hand. "Hey, kiddo. You still with us?" Lou could only muster a hum in response. Henry gently turned the doll's head. The chip wasn't doing anything weird. "Everything looks fine. The computer is reading normal. He won't be able to do much of anything for two weeks. I can always keep him here if you all don't have the time."

"We've got it," Mandy assured even before Ox could say anything. The bunny tilted his head at her, receiving a genuine smile. Her arms were stretched out, and she carefully let Henry slide the doll into her arms, letting his head lean against her shoulder. "Don't let him exert himself. Plenty of rest. Anything else we should know?"

"Keep an eye on that chip. Make sure it doesn't do anything out of the ordinary. The robots will be alerted as an extra measure if the computer gives off some bad readings. It should work fine, but I don't want to take chances."

"You have our word," Ox nodded. 

[venisontransmission]

If for not the fear of Vox taking it as some backhanded compliment, Alastor would easily describe the younger demon as stubborn to a fault.

Every time the media demon's hand comes near, Alastor meets him with his teeth. These bites are far more warning than anything-- a little nip at Vox's thick skin, just enough to puncture for blood. Any creature with half a brain would have stopped their advances by now, fearing the jaws of the Overlord taking more than a finger.

And yet, Vox does not stop his efforts. Again, his bleeding hand comes close, and again, Alastor catches it in his teeth-- hardly even a bite now, and Vox takes full advantage of this lack of pushback. Distantly, the deer demon wonders when the other had become so stubborn-- he'd always held a good bit of moxie, but Alastor does not quite remember Vox being this headstrong-- pushing boundaries until Alastor relents just a tad.

The larger demon does not pull his hand back-- quite the opposite as Vox's clawed finger presses down on Alastor's tongue. By reflex, the deer's jaw opens, his lips curling up to show off his dark gums and sharp teeth. Careful what you're doing, the movement says, these teeth are not just for show.

Alastor internally thanks his lack of a well-defined gag reflex that allows him to save face as Vox's claws trace the roots of his bottom teeth under his gums. The larger demon is surprisingly gentle, the very ends of his claws never doing more than lightly prodding at the soft flesh of his mouth. He considers how sanitary this all is-- eventually deciding it's not worth the attempt to swallow his spit. It gathers and pools under his tongue, dragging along Vox's claws and dripping down his chin.

The radio demon rolls his eyes-- as long as it's not getting on him, he doesn't care, even if this position is causing his jaw to ache.

Vox is watching his mouth with an unreadable expression. His digital face flickering slightly as Alastor's tongue winds around his blue claws. Another moment passes, and Alastor's jaw has had enough. His teeth threaten to close in around Vox's hand, and common sense wills the larger demon to remove his hand before Alastor shuts his jaw with a stiff 'click'.

[snarky-bee]

hello I am here to ask questions about [redacted] (moxie)!! 4, 30, D, H

ACTUALLY u kno what. I wanted to show self restraint but I am a nosy bitch and want to know about 36 for moxie too

Okay welcome to nosy bitch hours, its time for [redacted] Moxie Q&A

Moxie is my pink tiefling warlock (Archfey Patron + Pact of the Chain) 4) How easy is it to earn their trust? Moxie, as the queen of white lies, does assume everyone is hiding something, and keeps her guard up for a while before she will trust anyone with the personal parts of herself. She's been burned before by people she hoped and thought she could trust, so she oberves, and watches, and pokes and prods, before she deems someone safe. 30) Who do they most regret meeting?  Moxie does not live a life of many regrets, and meeting someone is not something she has ever regretted actually. Meeting people feels like an opportunity - whether for good or bad. 36) Do they actively seek romance, or do they wait for it to fall into their lap?  Moxie yearns to be loved, and romance is one aspect of it that she always wants in her life, that would feel empty without it. Love keeps her going, the reason she wakes up in the morning, even. She's not passive once she finds someone that clicks.

D) Have they always had the same physical appearance, or have you had to edit how they look? I had an early version of the character concept back in like 2021, in which she was mostly a concept rather than an appearance, but instead of Dandelion the Bee-Sprite, she had a snake familiar. Once I started putting her appearance down, she was always going to be dark pink. I think the only thing that changed during that appearance development was her hair was darker but then became light pink, and I decided to lean into very femme and dress her up in skirts and dresses.

H) What trait do you admire most? Honestly that she does not care what people think about her. It's funny to realize, as I thought about this question, but I admire and am even jealous of the way she is so comfortable in her own skin. She fought to feel that way, but I too find that very aspirational. Stares and whispers and blatant "are you part demon" completely just wash over her like water off a ducks back because she just is completely at peace with being in her own skin. Wondering if people are judging her just doesn't occur to her. She's proud to be herself.

[wild-stray-renegade]

Wastelands (Sky COTL fic)

Wilder reflects on how he met Tarka and Moxie while being a watchguard.

Word Count: 895

TW: Poor writing None

Wilder sighed as he solemnly surveyed the desolate area around him. The bitter air nipped at the tips of his ears and nose as the scent of decades-old tar tainted the currents. Worn-out goggles covered his eyes to protect them from the contaminants in the wind. A green haze clouded the distant lands and only allowed him to see a few miles afar from his concrete perch. Deemed the lookout of the group, he was the one meant to search for any signs of hostile signs of life- whether that was other skykids, the dark creatures or the environment itself. His slightly tattered cape fluttered in the winds that swirled around him.

He wanted nothing more than to be inside of the ravaged temple beneath him where he and his clan had called home. He had found safety here in the rubble; he was raised by this pack, this pride—whatever you wish to call it, they were his family. They took him in when he was young and scared from the Krill in the middle of the desolate desert and taught him how to survive among the razed fields. Throughout the day, they would venture out and explore the vast lands that stretched before him looking for other lost wanderers or materials they could scavenge— however, at night it was too dangerous to venture past the barricade. He still remembered the day he met them as a young wanderer himself. The scout let his thoughts wander as his eyes continued to scan the area.

Wilder's foot sank into a puddle of tar with a slow squelch. He shuddered at the feeling of the thick goop seeping through his worn boots into his socks. There was no indication of where he was supposed to be going or where he came from; the only things he had to direct him anywhere was the clouded hint of a sun and the direction of the wind. The haze stung his eyes as he tried to peer through the tears and film to make out anything among the terrain. Faint flickers of a flame to his right caught his eye while they reflected off of the oily puddles coating the ground. 

Perfect, he thought and angled his approach towards the light.

The closer he drew to the flame, the more he began to make out; skykid figures wandering around a building of some kind, a small handful of manta-like creatures and a barricade surrounding the base. A short burst of a horn echoed as he drew closer to the short wall. Freezing in his steps, he watched in fear as two of the skykid-shaped figures approached him with caution; a tall, stouter one and a shorter, more lanky being with feline ears. He drew his staff in preparation.

The shorter skykid approached with their hands visible, palms facing outwards as if they could sense Wilder's fear. "Hey, we're not going to harm you. Are you alone?" Their yellow eyes pierced through Wilder yet had a soft tone to them. Wilder nodded as the person softly smiled. "Would you like to come in? We have an extra bed. Get you out of these winds and into some dry clothes as well." Wilder's gaze flickered from the speaker to the taller being who nodded in silence. His leg stung as a sore reminder — he had encountered a crab earlier who knocked him backwards into a patch of darkness plants, the briars slicing through his pants and into his skin with ease. He fought back a wince and glanced down quickly before looking back up at the pair. "I…sure. I won't say no to getting out of this place for a bit— not gonna lie, it's a bit terrifying." A chuckle rumbled from the larger skykid's chest as the feline's ears flickered. They reached out to the newcomer with a lightly furred hand.  "C'mon, let's go, little one. Where're ya from?" 

Wilder took their hand slowly, the fur a comforting texture in comparison to the hostile environment around them. It was something to focus on as they walked back to the base. Wilder collected his thoughts. "The brook over inside the Forest?" The feline looked up to the taller being while Wilder noticed the silhouette of a longer cape swaying behind them, the ends resembling a tail. "Hey, Tarka. I guess the meltdown hit farther than we thought. Makes sense why this one has some oxen features though; haven't seen those around though. Those are new."

Tarka grunted in response, the noise a higher pitch then Wilder expected. "The Forest paths are in the middle of the prairies and the forestland; makes sense. I'm a bird; you're a feline. Typical for our areas. I'm wondering what a little calf like you is doing in the Wastelands of all places?" Silence fell among the trio as the two led Wilder into the temple, guiding him into a room with a bed, nightstand and a small basket. He sighed and looked down. "Looking for the cause of my home's downfall."

A call from below his perch shook him from his thoughts. He peered down to see Tarka's concerned gaze pointed up at him. "You good there, little kit?" Moxie followed Tarka out with their ears back in worry. "Been trying to get your attention for a few minutes now."

Wilder nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm good."